Category: Energy

Renewable energy expansion in Texas is expected to keep pace with the global rise in clean energy capacity. A new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts rapid growth of worldwide renewable energy over the next five years. According to the IEA report, titled “Renewables 2021, Analysis and Forecast to 2026,” renewable capacity will […]

Washington, D.C. – The Biden-Harris Administration released an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Plan on December 13 that sets the course for investing $5 billion in formula funding for states to build a national charging network of 500,000 chargers. The plan is designed to support Biden’s target of 50 percent of EV sale shares in the U.S. […]

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) on November 30 adopted rules for critical designation of natural gas infrastructure to help protect Texans in energy emergencies. These new rules implement provisions in HB 3648 and SB 3 and define natural gas facilities that would be designated as critical gas […]

Washington, D.C. – The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is planning up to seven new offshore lease sales by 2025 to meet the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030. Sites under consideration are in the Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, Central Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico, […]

The Bryan City Council authorized the sale of more than $95 million in revenue bonds by Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) to finance multiple capital improvement projects. At their September 14 meeting, councilmembers approved the sale of $73.6 million in city revenue bonds for the construction of a $20 million BTU administration building, a $10 million […]

Illinois – The city of Chicago extended its deadline for submissions to 4 p.m. CDT September 30 on a request for information (RFI) that opened this spring regarding a new franchise agreement for electric utility service. In an earlier addendum, Chicago extended the deadline to July 30. Through the RFI process, for the first time in […]

Connecticut – As it works to modernize the state’s electric grid, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is seeking written comments for innovation pilots. PURA is seeking comparisons of potential non-wires alternative (NWA) solutions against traditional distribution system capacity upgrades and other utility expenses. Written comments are due by 4 p.m. local time September 21. […]

El Paso Electric (EPE) will host a pre-bid webcast at 2 p.m. MDT/ 3 p.m. CDT August 24 in advance of accepting bids for short-term and long-term power generating and renewable energy. EPE is seeking renewable energy sources for its New Mexico customers by 2025 to meet increasing standards and projected energy demand there. Initial […]

In response to directives from the governor’s office to take steps to increase power generation capacity and ensure reliability of the Texas power grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) released a 60-point plan on July 13. The “Roadmap to Improving Grid Reliability” addresses operational improvements to the Texas power grid, including legislative changes, […]

Oregon – A deadly record-breaking heat wave, wildfires, and power outages spurred the Oregon Legislature to pass HB 2021 to support renewable energy and resiliency projects by establishing a clean energy standard. The bill is awaiting the governor’s signature. The legislation appropriates $50 million to the Community Renewable Investment Fund for the Oregon Department of Energy […]

Bills to reform the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and weatherize the state’s power grid were signed into law on June 8 to address leadership and system failures during Winter Storm Uri. Senate bills 2 and 3 will require the weatherization of power generation facilities, natural gas facilities, and transmission facilities to withstand extreme […]

Kentucky – A recent energy study recommended a combination of nanogrid installations and regional community microgrids to achieve increased resilience in Kentucky. The study identified 558 sites suitable for nanogrid installations and 12 potential regional community microgrids. An ideal deployment strategy would install nanogrids or microgrids at critical facilities in Kentucky such as national defense and […]

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on March 29 announced its intent to partner with offshore wind and transmission developers to scale the industry by opening $3 billion in debt capital to facilitate the development of offshore wind access. The news was part of a flurry of announcements that included information about a […]

New Jersey – Designs for eight microgrid projects received $4 million in grants from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities in the second phase of the state’s design incentive program to support resiliency, especially during and after extreme weather events. Collectively, these eight microgrid projects, if implemented, would provide resilience to 56 critical infrastructure facilities. […]

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is inviting vendors to a virtual pre-proposal conference at 1 p.m. January 12, 2021, as it prepares to assess and short-list Automated Transportation System (ATS) technologies. NCTCOG aims to gather input on ATS compatibility with regional goals. In addition, it plans to develop modular infrastructure designs and […]

New Jersey – Amid public opposition to a gas-fired power plant, New Jersey Transit is planning procurements for the construction of a $557 million renewable energy plant in Kearny. Designed to improve system resiliency, the plant will provide a reserve power system drawing from solar and battery storage rather than natural gas. The transit authority will […]

CPS (City Public Service) Energy, San Antonio’s city-owned utility, is planning to issue its official request for proposals (RFP) for the FlexPower Bundle energy projects later this year. CPS had been running a request for information, that was due by August 31, in preparation for the upcoming solicitation for its FlexPOWER Bundle and FlexSTEP initiatives. These […]

New Jersey – Gov. Phil Murphy announced plans to develop a $300 million to $400 million wind port that will provide a location for staging, assembly, and manufacturing activities related to offshore wind projects on the East Coast. The New Jersey Wind Port will be located in Lower Alloways Creek Township, on an artificial island on […]

CPS Energy, San Antonio’s public power utility, is planning to issue a request for proposals (RFP) as early as this summer to replace 1,700 megawatts (MW) of capacity from gas steam units that are nearing the end of their useful lives. CPS plans to advertise globally to companies that can fulfill the needs of its […]

In an effort to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050, CPS Energy plans to begin the procurement process for renewable power sources – more solar and battery storage capacity. These power sources would replace San Antonio’s dependency on fossil-fuel gas. The utility wants to replace 1,700 megawatts of capacity from […]

New York – Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a 15-year program to extend the operating life of the Niagara Power Project (NPP). The NPP supplies 10 percent of New York State’s energy, and the new program aims to help the state achieve its clean energy goals with modern power equipment and technology. The New York Power Authority […]

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that more than $400 million is still available to help rural businesses lower their energy costs. The USDA is encouraging farmers, small businesses, and agricultural producers to apply for financing that could help with renewable energy systems and energy efficiency upgrades. The funding is provided through […]

New York– The city of Buffalo has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking 20-year power purchase agreements from solar contractors for 32 sites around the city. The solicitation is part of a larger renewable energy initiative led by the city, Erie County and area higher education institutions. The RFP states the city seeks a competitive cost […]

Massachusetts- The office of Governor Charlie Baker will issue a request for proposals (RFP) for an offshore wind energy project. The state will consider bids of 200, 400 and 800 megawatts. The governor’s office oversees the offshore wind procurement process, but contracts are negotiated by the state’s three utilities. The governor’s officials will first request approval […]