Focus
“A course correction”: Supreme Court reinforces agency deference and narrows the scope of environmental effects that agencies must consider under NEPA
Allen Matkins – May 30
On May 29, 2025, the Supreme Court held that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) — which requires federal agencies to analyze the environmental impacts of projects that they carry out, fund, or approve — does not require agencies to consider the effects of “other future or geographically separate projects that may be built (or expanded) as a result of or in the wake of the immediate project under consideration.” The Court’s decision narrows the scope of effects that agencies must consider under NEPA, provides clear direction to agencies and lower courts, and will likely benefit developers of infrastructure and other projects that require federal agency approvals or receive federal funding.
News
U.S. targets geothermal projects for emergency permitting
Reuters – May 30
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced on May 30 that it was implementing emergency permitting procedures to accelerate reviews of geothermal energy projects as part of President Donald Trump's energy agenda. The projects that will be fast-tracked include three in Nevada led by Ormat, which received funding in 2020 during the first Trump administration for research and development.
California’s solar, wind curtailment jumped 29% in 2024: EIA
Utility Dive – May 30
Solar and wind energy output in California was curtailed by 29% more in 2024 than the year before, with solar accounting for 93% of curtailed energy that year, according to a new Energy Information Administration (EIA) report. Wind and solar capacity in California increased from 9.7 GW in 2014 to 28.2 GW by the end of 2024, EIA said. California curtails solar and wind generation to keep the grid stable and to leave room for natural gas generation, to comply with North American Electric Reliability Corp. requirements and “have generation online in time to ramp up in the evening hours,” according to the report.
Projects
Preparations continue for major green hydrogen production plant in California
Power Magazine – June 4
A hydrogen production company that develops the fuel using renewable energy is moving forward with plans for a $1.85-billion solar-powered manufacturing facility in California. Element Resources said construction of its Lancaster Clean Energy Center (LCEC) in Lancaster will begin later this year. The company said the LCEC would be the “largest off-grid renewable green hydrogen production project in the U.S.” The new facility is expected to produce 22,000 tons of green hydrogen each year, with production also expected to expand.
Leeward commissions 126 MW standalone battery in California
Renewables Now – May 29
Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE), a portfolio company of OMERS Infrastructure, has energized its 126 MW/504 MWh Antelope Valley battery energy storage system in Kern County. The facility is LRE’s first grid-connected standalone battery and its seventh operational asset in the state.
San Luis Obispo County’s first battery plant is now operating
The Tribune – June 3
San Luis Obispo County’s first battery energy storage facility is up and running in Nipomo — and community members can attend an open house this week to learn more about the plant. The Caballero Energy Storage project, which started operating at full capacity on April 1, can store 100 MW of electricity, enough to power 100,000 homes for up to four hours per day.
Box Canyon Solar Project begins power production
In Maricopa – June 2
The Box Canyon Solar Project, a 300 MW utility-scale solar facility near Florence, Arizona, has started producing electricity. Developed by BrightNight and Cordelio Power, Box Canyon will ultimately supply clean power to 25 utilities under the Southwest Public Power Agency, serving more than 77,000 Arizona homes.
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