Focus
Trump’s order won’t halt California’s offshore wind leases. But will it derail the industry?
CalMatters – January 24
President Donald Trump’s ban on new offshore wind leases won’t halt giant wind farms already planned off California’s coast, but industry officials say the policy shift is a blow to a renewable energy industry still working to gain a foothold. The order has no immediate effect on leases already authorized, including two large areas off California’s coast. Trump wrote that “nothing in this” order “affects rights under existing leases in the withdrawn areas.” Existing offshore wind leases are not safe from future actions by the new administration. Trump ordered “a comprehensive review” of “terminating or amending” offshore wind leases and ordered his agencies to identify “any legal basis” for eliminating them.
News
New safety standards, oversight proposed for lithium battery facilities after Moss Landing fire
CBS News – January 28
In the wake of the recent fire at Vistra Corporation's Moss Landing Power Plant and Energy Storage Facility, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has proposed new standards for battery energy storage facilities. At issue is the adequacy and enforcement of a 2024 state law that requires facility owners and operators to create emergency response action plans in concert with local agencies. If the commission votes to approve the proposal at its March 13 meeting, it will set new standards for the maintenance and operation of battery facilities and increase oversight over emergency response action plans, according to the CPUC.
White House says order pausing IRA disbursements only applies to some programs
Reuters – January 22
The White House said President Donald Trump’s January 20 order pausing the disbursement of funds appropriated under his predecessor’s signature climate and infrastructure laws mainly applies to programs that discourage fossil fuel development or boost electric vehicles. As part of a flurry of executive orders hours after taking office, Trump ordered government agencies to pause funds flowing from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Projects
Maryland ups U.S. Wind’s capacity award to 1.7 GW
OffshoreWind – January 29
The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) has awarded U.S. Wind additional offshore wind renewable energy credits (ORECs) for the company’s projects off the Maryland coast, which now total 1.7 GW in generation capacity. The PSC announced on January 24 that it approved U.S. Wind’s rebid application and awarded the developer the additional ORECs under a state law enacted in May 2024 by Governor Wes Moore.
Madera glass plant turns to solar
The Business Journal – January 22
Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America is nearing the completion of a renewable electricity solar facility in Madera. The nearly 13 MW solar facility, which is built and operated by VALTA Energy, is set to be operational by March at the Madera glass plant.
BLM authorizes Candela’s huge solar-storage project near Las Vegas
Renewables Now – January 23
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management approved a 400 MW solar park project with an up to 700 MW energy storage component near Las Vegas, Nevada, in the final days of President Joe Biden’s tenure. The approval is effective immediately and is not subject to appeal, BLM said.
U.S. bets on new lithium extraction technology
Chemical & Engineering News – January 21
The U.S. Department of Energy has committed to a $1.4 billion loan for a project that will use an emerging technology to separate lithium from geothermal brines in Imperial County, California, near the Salton Sea. The agency says the loan, to EnergySource Minerals, is an important step toward establishing a battery supply chain in the U.S.
Gore Street energizes 200 MW Big Rock Storage Project
reNews – January 21
Gore Street Energy Storage Fund has powered up its 200 MW Big Rock asset in California. The Big Rock battery energy storage system in Imperial County is the company’s largest asset to date.
Oregon to host nation’s largest solar-plus-storage installation
Canary Media – January 21
In northeastern Oregon, nearly 9,500 acres of farmland will soon be transformed into a 1,200 MW solar project. State regulators approved Sunstone Solar, the nation’s largest proposed solar-plus-storage facility, last fall. Once up and running, the project will include up to 7,200 MWh of storage, and its nearly four million solar panels will produce enough clean electricity to power around 800,000 homes each year.
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