This week in Energy Democracy news:
A new University of Minnesota report indicates that building solar arrays with batteries is more cost effective than building traditional power plants, we check in on the status of California’s net metering legislation, and a growing coalition of U.S. cities, states and businesses pledges to measure energy emissions in defiance of the Paris Accords withdrawal.
Featured Stories:
Federal Government Wakes Up To Surging Rooftop Solar by Jeff McMahon, Forbes
Report: Solar more cost effective than natural gas by Associated Press, San Francisco Chronicle
U.S. Cities, States and Businesses Pledge to Measure Emissions by Hiroko Tabuchi and Lisa Friedman, The New York Times
A coalition of American states, cities and businesses that have pledged to stick with the Paris climate pact will team up with experts to quantify their climate commitments and share their plans with the United Nations, vowing to act in spite of the Trump administration’s exit from the accord.
6 Recommendations for Bringing Solar Power to Low-Income Households by Bentham Paulos, Clean Energy States Alliance
We are rapidly building a distributed energy system in our cities, but not all communities are sharing in its benefits. With new policies and programs, we could spread the benefits of solar more equitably.
Energy Democracy News Across the States:
Arkansas
Clarksville Solar Facility Showcases Energy Independence, Showdown With Big Electric by Bobby Ampezzan, Arkansas Public Media
California
California bill would make the state 100 percent renewable by 2045 by Natasha Geiling, ThinkProgress
Why California’s Net Metering 2.0 Calls for More, Not Less, Solar per Rooftop by Jeff St. John, Green Tech Media
Florida
New homes will now require solar panels in South Miami, a first in Florida by Carli Teproff, Miami Herald
Illinois
EDITORIAL: Illinois should seize chance to take lead in solar energy by Sun-Times Editorial Board
Solar Farms Possible in Alton by Doug Jenkins, WBGZ Radio
Indiana
North Vernon preparing to convert to solar power by Staff Reports, The Republic
Maine
South Portland starts construction on a nearly 3,000-panel solar farm by Dennis Hoey, Portland Press Herald
Michigan
Michigan commission sets guidelines for distributed generation, green pricing and electric choice programs by Daily Energy Insider Reports, Daily Energy Insider
Michigan program finances first megawatt of solar, with ambitious goals ahead by Andy Balaskovitz, Midwest Energy News
A clean energy financing program in Michigan reached a milestone last month when it helped homeowners and businesses install 1 megawatt of solar energy across the state.
Solar power and battery grid coming to Bridge Street Meijer project by Jim Harger, MLive
Michigan utility embarks on ‘next generation infrastructure’ for clean energy by Andy Balaskovitz, Midwest Energy News
Minnesota
The Surprising State Where Solar Energy is Flourishing by Nick Fouriezos, The Daily Dose
Minnesota is on a hot streak in converting sunlight into usable power. The state tripled its solar energy capacity through the first quarter of this year. And, according to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, it has increased solar output twelve-fold since 2015.
‘Time is now’ to add energy storage to Minnesota grid, researcher says by Frank Jossi, Midwest Energy News
Minnesota district to get Midwest’s first electric school bus this fall by Frank Jossi, Midwest Energy News
Nevada
Harry Reid, Nevada governor push bipartisan energy effort by Alison Noon, Associated Press
Two key players in the Republican and Democratic parties in Nevada are teaming up to host a clean-energy talk as the White House abandons a worldwide agreement to curb climate change and states are moving to the forefront of the fight.
Former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday that he’s bringing back a summit last headlined by President Barack Obama in 2015. This time, the co-host is a Republican — Gov. Brian Sandoval — a bipartisan move as Congress remains gridlocked on health care and other issues.
New York
New York Green Bank Could Go Nationwide by Bill Morris, Habitat Magazine
Solar array at Kingston church could serve 250 homes by William J. Kemble, Daily Freeman News
Ohio
Solar power output up 10 percent in new panels, CWRU awarded federal grant to test durability by John Funk, The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Tennessee
EPB’s ‘Solar Share’ brings renewable energy to Chattanooga by Patrick Mueller, WTVC
Now that their Solar Share project is complete, the Electric Power Board (EPB) says its energy customers now have the option to use solar power for their homes.
“Solar Share is Chattanooga’s first community-based project to generate greener, more sustainable energy for our city,” says EPB Board of Directors Chairman Joe Ferguson. “Solar Share makes it easy for EPB customers to participate in renewable energy generation.”
Vermont
Waste District gets it right with solar siting and planning by Brattleboro Reformer Staff, Brattleboro Reformer
Wisconsin
Opportunity to shine: Green energy jobs are booming even without government support by Rachel Sanders, Isthmus
Dells Neenah Creek to add solar panels by Kay James, Wisconsin Dells Events
These local libraries are using solar panels to reduce their carbon footprints by Karen Madden, USA Today Network-Wisconsin
Nationwide Energy Democracy News:
Here’s Elon Musk’s Plan to Power the U.S. on Solar Energy by Nick Lucchesi, Inverse.com
Utilities among advocates for electric school buses under Volkswagen settlement by Kari Lydersen, Midwest Energy News
With many school districts facing budget crises, replacing bus fleets and obtaining charging infrastructure hardly seems realistic.
But school officials, clean energy groups and even utilities are hoping that funds from the settlement of the Volkswagen emissions-cheating scandal will provide an initial crop of electric school buses and charging infrastructure, helping to jump-start what could be an eventual national shift.
Is a carmaker about to save the planet? By Zoe Williams, The Guardian
Tax incentives might run out on Tesla, but electric cars will be just fine by Michael J. Coren, Quartz
(Commentary)Utilities Are Giving People Cash for Clean Cars by Camille von Kaenel, E&E News
Energy Department starts tracking rooftop solar power by Ryan Maye Handy, Houston Chronicle
DOE’s SunShot awards $46.2M for early-stage solar technology projects by Krysti Shallenberger, Utility Dive
This article originally posted at ilsr.org. For timely updates, follow John Farrell on Twitter or get the Energy Democracy weekly update.
