In the States
CA: California state legislators sent a joint letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy urging Congress to support the clean energy industry in California. The letter, which was signed by approximately half of the California legislature, asks Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy to consider “extending and strengthening federal tax credits for clean energy technologies, continuing incentives for electric vehicles, and extending residential and commercial tax incentives for energy efficiency.” The legislators say this immediate aid is necessary now more than ever, since the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates the economic and public safety threat posed by wildfires and public safety power shutoffs. “Investing in clean energy has a quadruple bottom-line for California,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, the lead author of the joint letter. “It will lead to faster economic recovery, lower energy bills, improved resiliency and cleaner air for folks across our state.” California legislators ask Congress to include clean energy in COVID-19 relief efforts – Solar Power World
KS: Governor Laura Kelly announced the construction of a new 199 megawatt (MW) addition to Enel Green Power’s Cimarron Bend wind farm in Clark County, Kansas. Governor Kelly says she hopes the expansion will create jobs and stimulate the economy. Her office estimates the expansion will generate an additional $49 million in lease payments to local landowners, and over $18 million in new state revenue. According to her press release, revenue from the new expansion may be used to fund schools, public services, and new wind energy investments in Kansas. The project will also support Governor Kelly’s environmental agenda by saving an estimated 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. “Wind energy production has been an absolute win for our state, in terms of its benefits for the environment, Kansas business and residential consumers,” said Governor Kelly. “The Enel Green Power expansion is even more proof of Kansas’ appeal as one of the nation’s top wind energy producers.” Gov. Kelly announces Kansas wind farm construction – WIBW 13 Local News
KY: Governor Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Department for Local Government announced final approval of the sale of 418 acres of public land to Henderson Solar for use as part of a new 1,700-acre solar power generation facility. Construction of the facility is set to begin in 2022, and the facility is expected to be capable of generating power by the end of 2023. Governor Beshear’s office estimates the project will create at least 100 new construction jobs, five full-time jobs, and millions in tax revenue over the next two decades. The new solar facility is also estimated to save carbon emissions equivalent to taking about 55,000 cars off the road. “Today is a first step toward building a more modern and resilient economy,” Governor Beshear said. “Thanks to Henderson Solar, we will see a more diverse energy profile, new tax revenue, and good jobs in Henderson and the surrounding area.” Beshear Approves Land Purchase for Henderson Co. Solar Farm – WKMS Local News
WY: Governor Mark Gordon’s office announced that the State of Wyoming, the Japan Coal Energy Center (JCOAL), and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance and test a new carbon capture project. The new carbon capture technology will be constructed at the Wyoming Integrated Test Center, and is expected be completed by 2021. This project continues ongoing collaboration between the State of Wyoming and JCOAL that began in 2016 when former Governor Matt Mead and JCOAL President Osamu Tsukamoto signed an MOU to cooperate on coal-related research and development. The new project also furthers Governor Gordon’s commitment to pursue new, cleaner ways to generate power with coal, and secure a future for Wyoming’s fossil-fuel reliant economy. Wyoming Signs Agreement with Japanese Coal Energy Center for Carbon Capture Test Project – Oil City News, Wyoming Gov Says Carbon Capture Technology Can Preserve Coal – US News
National
Five major clean energy projects that were expected to be disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic are continuing as scheduled: sPower’s Spotsylvania Solar Energy Center and Dominion Energy’s Offshore Wind pilot in Virginia, American Electric Power’s North Central Wind project in Oklahoma, Strata Solar’s Ventura Battery in California, and Xcel Energy’s Sagamore Wind Project in New Mexico. While the pandemic is still a major concern for the construction and clean energy companies working on these projects, the projects remain on schedule because companies adapted quickly to new working conditions and supply chain interruptions. With these energy projects still on track, Greentech Media expects 2020 to be a record year for American clean energy production. Based on current projections, they expect the United States to add 18 gigawatts of new solar energy capacity, a record number of new wind electricity generation projects, and 1.2 gigawatts of energy storage this year. However, given the ever-changing nature of the ongoing pandemic, Greentech Media says they may revise their forecasts. 5 Key Clean Energy Projects That Barreled Through the Coronavirus Lockdowns – Greentech Media