This week in Energy Democracy news:
Advocates in Vermont would like to see lawmakers pass more clean energy bills in 2020. However, some lobbyists and lawmakers don’t see the urgency in discussing climate change. Plus, as coal plants shut down across the U.S., utilities and communities have a choice to make between natural gas and renewable energy.
Featured:
Proposed Energy Efficiency Rules Could Slow Emissions Reductions by Benjamin Storrow, Scientific American
As Coal Fades in the U.S., Natural Gas Becomes the Climate Battleground by Brad Plumer, The New York Times
America’s coal-burning power plants are shutting down at a rapid pace, forcing electric utilities to face the next big climate question: Embrace natural gas, or shift aggressively to renewable energy?
Transitioning US to 100% renewable by 2030 will cost $4.5 trillion by Lulia Gheorghiu, Utility Drive
U.S. Oil Companies Find Energy Independence Isn’t So Profitable by Clifford Krauss, The New York Times
The value of oil and gas stocks as a proportion of the S&P 500 over the last six years has dropped to about 4.6 percent, from 8.7 percent.
Energy Democracy News Across the States:
California
IID exhausts Riverdale County into repealing metering ordinance, dealing blow to solar by Sam Metz, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Colorado
Environmentalists: Retiring Colorado’s Coal Fleet Is Cost-Effective By 2023 by Grace Hood, CPR News
Connecticut
Connecticut Lawmakers Raid Green Energy Fund, Again by Ebong Udoma, WSHU Public Radio
Florida
90-foot wind turbine, 81 solar panels power Lake Wales home by Haley Hinds, Fox 13
Indiana
County approves solar park request near Anderson by Ken de la Bastide, The Herald Bulletin
Michigan
Praise, pushback for Michigan utilities’ divergent carbon-reduction plans by Andy Balaskovitz, Energy News Network
Maine
Maine steps up clean energy turnaround passes 100% RPS, pro-solar bills by Catherine Morehouse, Utility Dive
New York
New York approves landmark climate bill by Jason Plautz , Smartcities Dive
North Carolina
This North Carolina lawmaker is trying to slam the brakes on wind. Again. By Naveena Sadasivam, Grist
Ohio
ACORE Speaks Out Against Ohio’s H.B.6 by Betsy Lillian, North American Wind Power
Rhode Island
General Assembly moves likely to expand solar development in R.I. by Alex Kuffner, Providence Journal
Vermont
Advocates frustrated with Vermont’s lack of urgency on clean energy bills by Bill Opalka, Energy News Network
Virginia
Landowners, company go to court overturn solar decision by Jerry Blair, The News Virginian
Wisconsin
Farmers, Residents Of Southwestern Wisconsin Voice Concerns About Proposed Transmission Line by Hope Kirwan, Wisconsin Public Radio
Nationwide Energy Democracy News:
Interior delays, costs may dim offshore wind’s prospects by Heather Richards, E&E News Reporter
Wehrum Resigns from EPA, Leaving Climate Rule Rollbacks in His Wake by Marianne Lavelle, Inside Climate News
Wehrum helped unveil a signature achievement of that deregulatory drive—the repeal of the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan and its replacement with a set of weak rules that will do little to curb carbon emissions.
After Brayton Point visit, Markey backs extended tax credits for industry by Peter Jasinski, The Herald News
Congress advances push for ‘national recycling strategy’ by Rina Li, Waste Dive
The amendment highlights representatives’ interest in working with the EPA develop a recycling strategy that will “ensure long-term stability for local programs.
