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☆ New data centers require billions of dollars in utility system upgrades. You may end up paying for it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Daniel Geiger | Ellen Thomas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

A record surge of data center construction is underway to provide the computing and storage that underpins society's fast-expanding digital footprint and powers artificial intelligence. In areas of the country where data centers have clustered, utilities have unveiled plans to spend billions of dollars to keep up. asked David Springe, the executive director of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates. "Then you have the data centers that are having exponential load growth," Nelson said. Data centers also don't deliver the number of long term jobs – a key yardstick for public benefits – that other industries do.

Persons: Mike DeWine, David Springe, they're, Ryan Augsburger, Augsburger, Ron Nelson, Strategen, ratepayers, Nelson, Steve Helber, That's, PJM, David Lapp, Lapp, Jeffrey Shields, Shields, Kantele Franko, Shelby Moore, Meta, behemoth Blackstone, QTS, John Gavan, Daniel Tait, Tait Organizations: Amazon, Ohioans, Business, Wall, Boston Consulting Group, National Association of State, Consumer, Ohio Manufacturers ' Association, Web Services, Energy, Dominion Energy, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Tech, Wall Street titans, American Electric Power, Buckeye Power, AEP, Buckeye, AEP Ohio, Staff, Intel, Policy Institute Locations: Ohio, ratepayers, Chester , Va, Virginia, PJM, Chicago, New Jersey, New York City, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Columbus , Ohio, Denver, New Albany , Ohio, Minnesota, Columbus, Mississippi

☆ A New Surge in Power Use Is Threatening U.S. Climate Goals
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Brad Plumer | Nadja Popovich | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

Nathan Howard for The New York TimesIn California, electric vehicles could soon account for 10 percent of peak power demand. AP Photo/Mike StewartIn interviews, utility executives say gas is needed to back up wind and solar power, which don’t run all the time. Gas plants can sometimes be easier to build than renewables, since they may not require new long-distance transmission lines. “It’s going to take a diversified fleet.”Mr. Mitchell noted that Georgia Power was planning a large build-out of solar power and batteries over the next decade and would offer incentives to companies to use less power during times of grid stress. The tech companies and manufacturers that are driving up electricity demand could also play a major role, experts say.

Persons: ”, Daniel Brooks, Nathan Howard, Lauren Justice, Biden’s, “, Tyler H, Norris, Mr, John Wilson, Ken Seiler, Seiler, Devin Hartman, Duke, Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s, it’s, we’ve, Georgia Power, It’s, Greg Buppert, Megan Varner, Mike Stewart, Aaron Mitchell, “ It’s, Mitchell, Heather O’Neill, Brian Janous Organizations: Electric Power Research Institute, The New York Times, Duke University, Biden, Utilities, North American Electric Reliability Corporation, Boston Consulting, Dominion Energy, Nationwide, R Street Institute, The New York Times Soaring, Duke Energy, Georgia, Southern Environmental Law Center, AP, Dominion, Georgia Power, Advanced Energy, Microsoft Locations: America, California, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina , Tennessee, Kansas, Northern Virginia, Arizona, Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, York City, PJM, “ Texas, Ashburn, Va, Dalton , Ga, Dalton, Duke

It's a story increasingly familiar in the energy industry: Some utility companies don't properly assess the risks wildfires pose to their operations. The primary purpose is to prevent power lines from igniting a wildfire during periods of high fire danger. The lawsuit also alleges the company "inexcusably kept their power lines energized during the forecasted high-fire danger conditions." A PG&E utility worker locates a gas main line in the rubble of a home burned down by wildfire in Paradise, California, Nov. 13, 2018. Several of those agencies track statewide wildfire information, but most did not keep track of the names of utility companies associated with wildfire incidents.

Persons: Michelle Glogovac, Glogovac, Laurie Allen, Brent Jones, Allen, Jones, inexcusably, Michael Wara, Shelee Kimura, Yuki Iwamura, David Pomerantz, Pomerantz, Patti Poppe, It's, JOSH EDELSON, Warren Buffett's, Stanford's, CNBC's Brian Sullivan, David Paul Morris, Institute's Pomerantz, Tama Organizations: CNBC, Electric, Energy, Stanford University, Hawaiian Electric, AFP, Getty, Policy, Policy Institute, NV Energy, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Bloomberg, Getty Images Locations: Paradise , California, Lahaina , Hawaii, Hawaii, Maui, Maui County, Lahaina, California, Nevada, Warren, — Arizona, California , Colorado, Hawaii , Montana , Nevada , New Mexico , Oregon , Utah, Washington, Arizona , New Mexico, Utah

☆ A Goldman Sachs-backed electricity firm is making a play to reach more Americans’ homes
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

That covers energy networks, mostly in the Northeast, that provide electricity for 190 million Americans, according to federal data. It also gets Goldman into an industry, albeit through an intermediary, that critics have called a hotbed of consumer abuse. The startup, which began offering retail energy plans to Texans in 2021, avoids the teaser rates and hidden fees of rivals, it has said. "Many of those companies operate businesses that serve retail customers. Private equity firms have transformed the energy landscape in the nation's largest power markets.

Persons: Omar Marques, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, watchdogs, James Bride, Marcus, David Solomon, Dennis Wamsted, Tyson Slocum Organizations: Lightrocket, Getty, Energy, CNBC, Texans, U.S . Energy Information Administration, New, Institute for Energy Economics, Utilities, Federal Energy Regulatory, Street, Public Citizen Locations: Texas, Houston, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland

New Mexico is the first state to partner with Google for such an endeavor, state officials said, noting that the payoff could be significant in terms of curbing losses and saving municipalities and ratepayers money over the long term. The water plan notes that some systems in New Mexico are losing anywhere from 40% to 70% of all treated drinking water because of breaks and leaks in old infrastructure. “We don't need to make that choice between safe drinking water and your business," the governor said. One proposal calls for funneling another $100 million to the state water board to disperse for shovel-ready projects. In 2018, New Mexico rolled out a water plan that included details about policies at the time, historical legal cases and regional water plans.

Persons: Michelle Lujan Grisham, Lujan Grisham, “, Lujan Grisham's, Rebecca Roose Organizations: —, Google, Intel Locations: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M, — New Mexico, U.S, New Mexico, Mexico, Albuquerque

☆ 2 nuclear reactors that can power 1 million US homes with clean, sustainable energy is $21 billion over budget and years behind schedule
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-19 | by ( Jeff Amy | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

It would take effect in the first month after Vogtle's Unit 4 begins commercial operation, projected to be sometime in March. They're currently projected to cost Georgia Power and three other owners $31 billion, according to Associated Press calculations. But even as government officials and some utilities are again looking to nuclear power to alleviate climate change, the cost of Vogtle could discourage utilities from pursuing nuclear power. Overall, the company said Georgia Power would collect an additional $729 million a year from its 2.7 million customers. The five Republican commissioners, all elected statewide, voted on an agreement that Georgia Power reached with commission staff and some consumer groups.

Persons: —, They're, Jeff Amy Southern, Georgia Power, John Kraft, Jason Shaw, Vogtle, " Shaw, Bryan Jacob Organizations: Service, Georgia Public Service, Georgia Power Co, Business, Vogtle's, Georgia Power, Westinghouse, Republican, Georgia Public Service Commission, AP, Jeff Amy Southern Co, Georgia, Georgia PSC, Power, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Oglethorpe Power Corp, Municipal Electric Authority of Locations: ATLANTA, Georgia, Augusta, American, Atlanta, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, Dalton, Florida, Alabama

☆ Biden Administration to Require Replacing of Lead Pipes Within 10 Years
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Coral Davenport | More About Coral Davenport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration is proposing new restrictions that would require the removal of virtually all lead water pipes across the country in an effort to prevent another public health catastrophe like the one that came to define Flint, Mich. The proposal on Thursday from the Environmental Protection Agency would impose the strictest limits on lead in drinking water since federal standards were first set 30 years ago. “This is the strongest lead rule that the nation has ever seen,” Radhika Fox, the E.P.A.’s assistant administrator for water, said in an interview. “This is historic progress.”Digging up and replacing lead pipes from coast to coast is no small undertaking. estimates the price at $20 billion to $30 billion over the course of a decade.

Persons: Biden, ” Radhika Fox, ’ Organizations: Environmental, Agency Locations: Flint, Mich

ATLANTA (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that Georgia can keep statewide elections for its five-member commission regulating utilities, overturning a lower court judge who found statewide elections illegally diluted Black votes. The ruling is important beyond Georgia’s Public Service Commission because it could help protect certain statewide elections in other states subject to scrutiny for racial discrimination under the Voting Rights Act. In August 2022, U.S. District Judge Steven Grimberg had ordered Georgia's commissioners elected by district, the first time a statewide voting scheme had been overturned by a federal judge. Retaining statewide elections enhances the chance that all five seats will remain in Republican hands, as they have been for years. Plaintiffs said the current commission is unresponsive to Black voters, including people with lower incomes who pay high utility bills.

Persons: Steven Grimberg, Grimberg, Georgia, Elizabeth Branch, Plaintiffs, ” Brionte McCorkle, James “ Major ” Woodall, Fitz Johnson, Tim Echols, Grimberg's, Johnson, Echols, Tricia Pridemore, It's, hadn't, beholden Organizations: ATLANTA, —, Public Service Commission, U.S, Supreme, Circuit, Appeals, ”, PSC, Black, Georgia Conservation Voters, GOP, Republican, Georgia Power Co Locations: Georgia, Alabama, U.S

☆ From black gold to green power: Texas, weirdly, is leading America's clean energy future
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

John DavisDeals like Davis' have made Texas — America's oil capital for more than a century — the top producer of renewable energy in the US. The state has long generated the most wind power and is second only to California as a solar-energy producer. The high-stakes battle for Texas' energy future is a microcosm of how tricky America's green transition is shaping up to be, especially when politics are involved. Slowing down renewable energy could cost Texas in the long term, both economically and socially. The coalition seems to be growing stronger, even as Texas politicians shift further to the right on issues beyond renewable energy.

Persons: John Davis, Davis, Greg Abbott, Critics aren't, there's, George W, Bush, Rick Perry, Abbott, Winter Storm Uri, hasn't, it's, It's, Judd Messer, Madeline Gould Laughlin, Michael Looney, San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Brent Bennett, Bennett, Messer, That's, Enel's Laughlin, Enel, Sandhya Ganapathy, Catherine Boudreau Organizations: Menard, RES, Texas, Republican, Texans, Power Alliance, John Davis Texans, University of Texas, Winter Storm, ERCOT, Bloomberg, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Energy Fund, Advance Power Alliance, San, San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce, ExxonMobil, Chevron, West Texas Chamber of Commerce, Lone Star, EV Locations: North Dakota, Texas, America, Nowhere, Menard , Texas, Concho County , Texas, California, Menard, Austin, San Angelo, Midland , Texas

But consumer advocacy groups complained, arguing PG&E could save ratepayers money and still reduce wildfire risk by putting a protective covering over the power lines instead of burying them. Commissioners decided to let PG&E bury 1,230 miles (1,979 kilometers) of power lines, which would be $1.7 billion cheaper than PG&E's proposal. For low-income customers who qualify for discounted rates, PG&E said typical monthly bills will increase by $21.50 next year, followed by a $3 per month increase in 2025 before decreasing by $5.50 per month in 2026. The turning point for PG&E came in 2018 when a windstorm knocked down one of its power lines in the Sierra Nevada foothills that started a wildfire. The company has pledged to bury 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers) of power lines over the next decade.

Persons: ”, John Reynolds, Patti Poppe, undergrounding powerlines, Gavin Newsom, ratepayers, Darcie Houck, Cheryl Maynard Organizations: Pacific Gas & Electric, California Public Utilities Commission, Reform Network, E, Democratic Gov, & $ Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, California, Sierra Nevada

Steam feeding into the Unit 3 turbine generator of the Vogtle nuclear power plant in Waynesboro, Ga. “The United States is now committed to trying to accelerate the deployment of nuclear energy,” John Kerry, President Biden’s climate envoy, said in September. One recent Pew survey found that 57 percent of Americans favor more nuclear plants, up from 43 percent in 2016. A NuScale engineer gave a tour of a control room simulator, modeling the company’s plans for new nuclear reactors, in 2013. “The demand for clean energy is almost unprecedented,” said Maria Korsnick, president of the Nuclear Energy Institute, an industry group.

Persons: Biden, ” John Kerry, Biden’s, “, ”, Jacopo Buongiorno, Jimmy Carter, Rosalyn Carter, Bruce Springsteen, Dan Reicher, Gavin Newsom, Reicher, Clinton, Jeffrey Collins, Arnie Gundersen, John Williams, “ It’s, Patty Durand, Julie Kozeracki, Kendrick Brinson, Jay Wileman, Bill Gates, Dow, Roger Blomquist, NuScale Power, Jose Reyes, Adam Stein, it’s, they’re, Ahmed Abdulla, Robert Taylor, Leah Nash, NuScale, David Schlissel, Joshua Freed, didn’t, Maria Korsnick Organizations: Unit, Republicans, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Associated Press, Madison, Natural Resources Defense, California Gov, Democrat, Associated, Fairewinds Associates, Components, Workers, Georgia, Southern Company, Georgia Power, Georgia Public Service Commission, Energy Department, The New York Times, GE, Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Vogtle . Ontario, Tennessee Valley Authority, Argonne, National Laboratory, Energy, Nuclear Regulatory, NuScale, ”, Breakthrough Institute, Carleton University, Soaring, Institute for Energy Economics, United, Nuclear Energy Institute Locations: U.S, Waynesboro, Ga, Savannah, Georgia, United States, ”, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Jenkinsville, Vogtle, South Carolina, South, Canada, Tennessee, Argonne, Chicago, Idaho, Wyoming, California, Alaska, Maryland, Pueblo County, Colo

☆ Maine votes to keep investor-owned electricity companies in charge of the energy grid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

It is not the first time that Mainers' push for a publicly owned energy grid has failed. In 1973, voters struck down the creation of a Maine Power Authority, which would have put the power supply in the state's hands. Janet Mills vetoed a bill from the state legislature to establish Pine Tree Power. In New York, the Long Island Power Authority has run the power grid of Long Island since 1986. Despite having a roughly 70-year-old public power grid, Nebraska still relies heavily on coal.

Persons: Janet Mills, Willy Ritch, Judy Long, Lucy Hochschartner Organizations: Carver, Voters, Maine Power Authority, Democratic Gov, Central Maine Power, Public, Maine Affordable Energy, Versant, CNBC, Pine, Power Authority, Cooperative, Hawaiian, Publicly, London Economic, Maine's Public Utilities Commission Locations: South Shore, Plymouth, Avangrid, Maine, . Nebraska, Los Angeles, Seattle, Kauai, New York, Long, Nebraska, Pine

Interest rates for long-term borrowing for capital improvements also would be less costly for Pine Tree Power. The anger and frustration from electric ratepayers in Maine is a far cry from the days when Iberdrola bought Central Maine Power, the state’s largest electric utility. The privately operated, nonprofit Pine Tree Power utility would contract with a private grid operator through a competitive bidding process. But Pine Tree Power would face some of the same constraints as CMP and Versant. And, like the existing utilities, Pine Tree Power would have no control over the actual cost of electricity, which comprises about half of consumers' monthly bills.

Persons: Mainers, ”, Timothy Cox, Janet Mills, William Harwood, Seth Berry, Harwood, Ann, Ursula Schryver, Schryver, Mike Jacobs, Jacobs, who's, Christie Decker, “, Decker, Freed, Willy Ritch, ” Al, David Sharp, @David_Sharp_AP Organizations: Central Maine Power, Energy Partners, Democratic Gov, Maine Public, CMP, Nationwide, American Public Power Association, Union of Concerned Scientists, Iberdrola, Maine, Tree, Maine Affordable Energy Coalition Locations: PORTLAND, Maine, U.S, Washington, Tree, Francisco, San Diego, Ann Arbor , Michigan, Rochester , New York, Nebraska, Boston, Wilton, Pine, ” Al Cleveland

The world's biggest offshore wind farm company on Tuesday said it would cease all development on the Ocean Wind projects even as it moves forward with developments off neighboring New York, triggering an angry response from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. "People did not anticipate (Orsted) backing out of Ocean Wind," said Timothy Fox, VP at research firm ClearView Energy Partners. Nipper told analysts that unlike Ocean Wind, Orsted is still pursuing Sunrise for several reasons, including the fact that the company has already lined up a vessel to build it. Under the most accelerated proposal, the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority said it could release the next offshore wind request for proposals in late November or early December. The Ocean Wind cancellation was the latest setback for the nascent U.S. offshore wind industry in recent months, which U.S. President Joe Biden and several states have counted on to fight global warming.

Persons: Phil Murphy, Timothy Fox, Mads Nipper, Nipper, Orsted, Joe Biden, Murphy, Scott DiSavino, Jarrett Renshaw, Nichola Groom, Bill Berkrot Organizations: ClearView Energy Partners, Sunrise, New York State Energy Research, Development Authority, Analysts, BP, U.S, Thomson Locations: New Jersey, New York, U.S, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Culver City , California

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Wind energy developer Orsted is writing off $4 billion, due largely to the cancellation of two large offshore wind projects in New Jersey whose financial challenges mirror those facing the nascent industry. Some projects already have been canceled, and many offshore wind developers are seeking better terms from governments with whom they have already contracted. Despite the challenges, some wind projects are moving forward. Orsted said it is proceeding with its Revolution Wind project in Connecticut and Rhode Island. And New Jersey still has several other offshore wind projects in various stages of development, with four new proposals submitted in August alone.

Persons: ” Mads Nipper, “, ”, Louis Knight, Biden, Jeff Van Drew, “ David, Goliath, Robin Shaffer, Orsted, ___, Wayne Parry Organizations: CITY, New, Orsted, Northern, World Meteorological Organization, Sierra Club, “, U.S, Government, Office, Republican, Dominion Energy, Virginia Beach, American Clean Power Association, Oceantic Network, Shell, EDF Renewables, Atlantic Locations: N.J, New Jersey, Danish, U.S, New England, Carolinas, New York, Coast NJ, Connecticut, Rhode, Virginia, Atlantic Shores, EDF Renewables North America, www.twitter.com

Murphy said Orsted was facing the same supply chain, inflation and other challenges that competitors in the offshore wind industry face. The decision was the latest in a series of setbacks for the offshore wind industry in the northeast. A handful of other offshore wind projects have been canceled. And New Jersey still has several other offshore wind projects in various stages of development, with four new proposals submitted in August alone. The White House in statement Tuesday night noted that in just the past week several investments in offshore wind had been made.

Persons: Orsted, Biden, Mads Nipper, ” Nipper, Phil Murphy, Murphy, “, ”, Republicans —, Jeff Tittel, ” Michael Kikukawa, White, Wayne Parry Organizations: CITY, New, New Jersey Gov, Democratic, Republicans, Sierra Club, Dominion Energy, Dominion, Shell, EDF Renewables Locations: N.J, Danish, New Jersey, United States, Connecticut, Rhode Island, East, New York, Massachusetts, Spanish, Virginia, Virginia Beach, U.S, Atlantic Shores, EDF Renewables North America, www.twitter.com

☆ Inside Poland Spring’s Hidden Attack on Water Rules It Didn’t Like
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Hiroko Tabuchi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

The BlueTriton bottling plant in Poland Spring, Maine, this month. Water Clashes NationwideBlueTriton finds itself pitted against local water boards, environmentalists and other groups across the country. Aquifers Water bottling facility BlueTriton facility Aquifers Water bottling facility BlueTriton facility Aquifers Water bottling facility BlueTriton facility Water bottling facility Aquifers BlueTriton facility Water bottling facility Aquifers BlueTriton facility Water bottling facility Aquifers BlueTriton facility Sources: U.S. Geological Survey; Continental U.S. aquifer map data from GebreEgziabher, Jasechko and Perrone, Nature Communications (2022) Mira Rojanasakul/The New York TimesIn California, BlueTriton has publicly criticized and vowed to fight a cease-and-desist order issued by the state’s water board to stop diverting millions of gallons of water from a spring in San Bernardino County. Poland Spring water was first packaged as a local elixir in the mid-1800s. The original Poland Spring water source.

Persons: BlueTriton, ”, Elizabeth M, Frazier, haven’t, Christopher Kessler, Bottlers, Ms, Frazier didn’t, Anthony Moffa, Mark Lawrence, Lawrence, Mira Rojanasakul, State Legislature’s, Margaret M, “, John Mullaney, Roger Crouse, Cheryl Dieter, Metropoulos, Nestlé, John McGowan, Natalie DiPentino, DiPentino, Poland Spring, BlueTriton’s Organizations: The New York Times, Times, Democratic, Energy, Utilities, Technology, Maine State House, ”, Industries, University of Maine School of Law ., Democrat, Water, . Geological Survey, Continental, Nature Communications, New York Times, State, Poland, U.S, Geological, Water Science, Industry, Maine Water Utilities Association, United States Geological Survey, Rock Capital Partners, Metropoulos, Moody’s Investors Service Locations: Maine, Poland, Poland Spring , Maine, South Portland, Michigan, Colorado, Augusta, In Colorado, Arkansas, United States, Continental U.S, GebreEgziabher, California, San Bernardino County, In Michigan, Lincoln, Lincoln , Maine, New York, BlueTriton’s Poland, Chaffee County , Colorado

☆ America's electric grid is in shambles. Biden has made the largest federal investment ever to try and fix it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Matthew Daly | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Biden announced $3.5 billion for 58 projects across the country to strengthen the electric grid. This is the largest federal investment ever made in grid infrastructure, said US Energy Secretary. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said it was the largest federal investment ever in grid infrastructure, supporting projects that will harden electric systems and improve energy reliability and affordability. The federal spending, combined with money promised by private partners, could result in up to $8 billion in investments nationally to upgrade the grid, Granholm said. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe largest grant, $464 million, will go to improve five transmission projects across seven Midwestern states, from Iowa to North Dakota.

Persons: Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Granholm, Chip Somodevilla, ″, Mitch Landrieu, Joe Biden, Landrieu, Jonathan Foley, Foley, Tim Walz, Steve Karnowski Organizations: US Energy, Service, Wednesday, Energy, Biden, Resilience, White House, Minnesota Gov, AP, of Commerce, CPS Energy, Consumers Energy, Flint, DTE Energy, Portland General Electric Locations: Maui, California, Georgia, Louisiana, American, Oregon, Iowa, North Dakota, Hawaii, California , Oregon , Utah, Minnesota, Locust Grove, Orleans, San Antonio, Texas , Colorado , New Mexico, Wisconsin, Texas, Michigan, Grand Rapids, Detroit

Most of the nation's power lines are above ground because its cheaper to do it that way. But more utilities have been burying power lines in response to bigger and more destructive natural disasters. That fire was started by lightening, not PG&E's power lines, but it is a reminder of the lasting damage that wildfires can cause. The Public Utilities Commission is considering two other plans that would include both burying power lines and using protective coverings. While burying power lines is the most effective way to prevent wildfires, it is not a quick fix.

Persons: —, “ We’re, ”, Patti Poppe, “, Gavin Newsom, Poppe, ” Poppe, Critics, Ken Cook, It’s, Matt Baker, ” Baker, we’ve, we’re, Feyla McLeod Organizations: Gas &, California Public Utilities Commission, Gov, Florida Power, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas &, Associated Press, Environmental, Public Utilities Commission, Reform Network, Office, California, E's, PG Locations: Calif, California, Florida, Southern California, San, Sacramento, San Francisco, Poppe, Paradise, Southern, Northern California

OCEAN CITY, N.J. (AP) — The Danish wind energy company Orsted has put up a $100 million guarantee that it will build New Jersey's first offshore wind farm. But it would forfeit the guarantee money if the project is not operational by December 2025. As an example, on Thursday, New York regulators rejected a request from companies for larger subsidies to complete large-scale wind, solar and offshore wind projects, saying the expected the companies to abide by the terms of their deals with the state. “I can affirm that Ocean Wind I shall complete and operate the Ocean Wind I approximate 1,100-megawatt qualified offshore wind project,” he wrote. Orsted has federal approval for the Ocean Wind I project, and has state approval for a second New Jersey project, Ocean Wind II.

Persons: Orsted, —, Phil Murphy, Governor Murphy, ”, David Hardy, “, Wayne Parry Organizations: CITY, New Jersey's, Public Utilities, Orsted, Democratic, Boston, Twitter Locations: N.J, New Jersey, East, , New York, North America, www.twitter.com

Here's a look at what California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara proposed and how it would affect the state's insurance market:WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES? It said insurance companies had to get permission from the state Department of Insurance before they could raise their rates. When setting their rates, insurance companies cannot consider current or future risks to a property. Insurance companies also buy insurance themselves, a process known as reinsurance. The process includes lots of time for insurance companies and consumer groups to give their input.

Persons: Ricardo Lara, They've, Lara Organizations: California, of Insurance, Insurance, Companies, California Department of Forestry, Protection . Insurance, . Insurance, FAIR, Consumer Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, California, ratepayers

REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Orsted A/S FollowSept 18 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's plan to deploy 30,000 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind by 2030 is still possible, although not easy, the CEO of Orsted (ORSTED.CO), the world's largest offshore wind developer, said on Monday at the Climate Week NYC event in New York. The Biden administration has passed lucrative subsidies aimed at helping companies build new offshore wind power capacity to help decarbonize the power sector and revitalize domestic manufacturing. But offshore wind developers have said that certain tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act, Biden's landmark climate change law, are insufficient and are lobbying for less stringent rules around qualifying for the credits. Last week, the governors of six Northeastern states urged Biden to direct his administration to take actions to support struggling offshore wind projects. Offshore wind is crucial to the targets of Northeast states who want to move away from fossil fuel-fired electricity.

Persons: Brian Snyder, Joe Biden's, Mads Nipper, Nipper, Biden, Scott DiSavino, Nichola Groom, Shariq Khan, Mark Porter, Marguerita Choy Organizations: U.S . Coast Guard, REUTERS, Biden, Rhode, Thomson Locations: Rhode, New York, Danish, Maryland , Connecticut , Massachusetts , New Jersey , New York, U.S, Los Angeles

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:Aug. 31The Washington Post on sexism in the U.S. militaryNearly eight years ago, the United States opened up all military combat roles to women, clearing a pathway for female service members to join the most elite military forces. Women at multiple military bases reported that other soldiers would bang on their doors in the middle of the night. Even a program that once represented the highest ideals of the United States — its compassion, its expertise and its resources — is becoming a casualty of the country’s most destructive and divisive forces. Lack of adequate cooling during hot summers has plagued Southern states for decades, but climate change has now made it a problem in Northern states as well — Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, Indiana. Ukraine received the first batch of uranium munitions from the United Kingdom in March to use in its UK-made Challenger 2 tanks.

Persons: Soldiers, “, ”, George W, Bush, Anthony Fauci, Mark Dybul, PEPFAR, Henry Hyde, Dave Weldon, H.I.V, Hyde, Weldon, Biden, MAGA, Biden’s, Mr, Chris Smith of, Smith, Roe, Wade, Tommy Tuberville, Susan B, Anthony Pro, ” Nyserda, Don’t, Louisianans, it’s, commissaries, Joe Arpaio, let’s, perceptibly Organizations: Washington, Green, Ranger Regiment, Green Berets, Army Rangers, Special Operations, Army Special Operations Command, Special Forces, Army, Command, New York Times, Democrats, Republicans, Catholic Church, Republican Party, AIDS Relief, Republican, Heritage Foundation, Biden, Mr, PEPFAR, America, Family Research, United, New York State Energy Research, Development Authority, Alliance, Clean Energy, Alliance for Clean Energy, Developers, Micron Technology, Los Angeles Times, Staff, Prisons, US State Department, US Locations: United States, U.S, Afghanistan, Africa, Illinois, Florida, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Alabama, New York, Ukraine, California , Connecticut, Hawaii , Indiana , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts, Michigan , New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Louisiana, Angola, Texas, Southern, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota , Indiana, Maricopa County, Ariz, Los Angeles, California, Corcoran, Tulare Lake, China, Russia, United Kingdom, Moscow, Belarus, Washington, Europe, Asia, Brazil, Indonesia

☆ California's electricity bills could soon be based on how much you make — and some people are furious
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Brad Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A California law would set a sliding scale for electricity bills based on a household's income. It doesn't totally take out of the equation how much power each household uses: Part of each bill will still be based on that. But each bill also will have "fixed charges" that will be set based on income. Cities like Los Angeles need to build out their electric system to deal with increased demand. "This makes it cheaper to use electricity to operate electric cars or appliances," the NRDC argues — something that could become key in stoking demand for EVs.

Persons: that's, —, you've, Erik Von Weber, That's, they've, it's Organizations: Service, Privacy, Washington Post, California Public Utilities Commission, Pacific Gas & Electric San Diego Gas & Electric Southern Cal, Edison, The Washington Post, Getty, Natural Resources Defense Council Locations: California, Los Angeles, San Diego, Eureka

☆ U.S. proposes limits for cancer-causing chemicals in drinking water
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Valerie Volcovici | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed the first-ever national drinking water standard for six cancer-causing chemicals known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Under the new standard, the agency will require public water systems to monitor for six PFAS chemicals, inform the public if PFAS levels exceed proposed standards in the drinking water supply, and take action to reduce PFAS levels. It is the first time since 1996 that drinking water standards have been proposed for a new chemical under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Environmental groups welcomed the new standards but said it was up to retailers and chemical companies to make a difference. "I’m looking forward to hearing from those who will be impacted by this announcement, including local water systems and ratepayers across the country, on how we can provide assistance for implementation," she said.

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