J1. Green Tech Industry & Utilities

Headline News:

• “Renewable Energy Key To Tackling Global Water Crisis – IEA” • The International Energy Agency is seeking to reduce the amount of water used in generating energy globally. In place of fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal, the IEA said use of renewable energies like wind and solar panels would reduce water use in the energy sector. [Punch Newspapers]

Walking for water (Jeff Ackley, Unsplash)

• “Farmers Double The Value Of Back Paddocks With Renewable Power Deals” • The founder of Australia’s first renewable energy land acquisition agency, Daniel Moroko says he found land for 4 GW of big battery projects and 800 MW of solar farms over 30 individual agreements in four Australian states. Some farmers doubled the value of back paddocks. [RenewEconomy]
• “Taps Running Dry Have Become Part Of Daily Life In South Africa’s Biggest City” • While drought can hurt Johannesburg’s water supply, the dams are full. But climate change is making things worse in another way: Officials say a weeks-long late summer heat wave, up to 5°C above normal, is giving a huge boost to water demand. [CNN]
• “US EIA Increases Oil Price Forecast After OPEC+ Production Cut Extension” • The EIA increased its forecast prices for crude oil and petroleum products for the remainder of 2024 in its March Short-Term Energy Outlook after the announcement that OPEC+ will extend its voluntary production cuts through the second quarter of 2024. [CleanTechnica]
• “Offshore Wind Growth Continues In Pursuit Of Climate Targets” • McKinsey research suggests global installed offshore wind capacity is expected to reach 630 GW by 2050, up from 40 GW in 2020. This is just a small part of wind installations. The IEA says that offshore wind farms account for just 7% of installed wind capacity. [Energy Digital Magazine]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “Gorgeous Agrivoltaic System Gilds The Rural Solar Lily” • The agrivoltaic movement is important for the renewable energy field because it pulls the rug out from under critics, who argue against siting solar arrays on farmland. The only thing missing now is aesthetics, and the European research firm AgroSolar Europe has the solution. [CleanTechnica]

Agrivoltaics using bio-based components to raise solar panels above crops (Courtesy of AgroSolar Europe)

• “International Nuclear Energy Expert Questions Michigan’s Palisades Restart” • Is investing $1.8 billion in federal and state funds to restart the aged Palisades nuclear power plant on the Lake Michigan shore necessary for Michigan’s climate goals? It is one of the questions Paris-based international nuclear policy analyst Mycle Schneider raised. [Michigan Public]
• “Russia Launches Massive Air Attack On Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure” • Russia unleashed a massive aerial attack in what Ukrainian officials said was the largest and most destructive assault on its energy infrastructure since the start of the war. One target was Ukraine’s largest hydroelectric power station, the Dnipro dam in Zaporizhzhia. [ABC News]
• “Attacking Electric Vehicles Has Become An Aggressive Political Campaign Tactic” • Some people, particularly politicians, appeal strongly to emotions strongly, to persuade others to oppose EVs. Clearly, it’s time that we engage in some critical reflection on how politicians draw upon different dark linguistic tools to gain political goals and objectives. [CleanTechnica]
• “A Debate About The Cost Is Dogging A Renewable Energy Bill” • It is not certain how much it will cost if utilities are required to sell only renewable electricity by 2035. That’s the goal of H.289, a bill that raises the state’s renewable energy requirements. Cost estimates have ranged from as little as $150 million to as high as $1 billion. [Seven Days]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is set to provide $475 million in funding for five projects in Arizona, Kentucky, Nevada, Pennsylvania and West Virginia on current and former mine land, with the hope that these projects can be replicated in other mining communities across the country. 

“President Biden believes that the communities that have powered our nation for the past 100 years should power our nation for the next 100 years,” says U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Thanks to the President’s Investing in America agenda, DOE is helping deploy clean energy solutions on current and former mine land across the country: supporting jobs and economic development in the areas hit hardest by our evolving energy landscape.” 

The selected projects cover a range of clean energy technologies, with three projects on former Appalachian coal mines. Projects selected for award negotiation include decarbonizing gold mines in Nevada to develop a PV facility, as well as repurposing mining lands in Pennsylvania and West Virginia for PV systems. 

Managed by DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations), the Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land will help provide the mining industry with ways to decarbonize their operations. 

The post DOE to Invest in Clean Energy Solutions for Mine Land appeared first on Solar Industry.

SolarCraft has completed a 16.4 kW solar energy system addition at Sweetwater Spectrum Community, a residential development geared for adults with autism in Sonoma, Calif. 

This is SolarCraft’s third energy installation for Sweetwater, and is set to generate 22,716 kWh annually, bringing Sweetwater Spectrum’s total solar up to 250,000 kWh annually. 

“SolarCraft has been an incredible partner to us during our three solar expansions,” says Olivia Vain, Sweetwater Spectrum executive director. 

“We are thrilled that our dream of expanding our programs by adding a 5th residential home materialized in August of 2023, and adding solar was the final step of the project. We strive to minimize our impact on the environment and SolarCraft has been instrumental in supporting us to achieve those goals.”

California Clean Energy will own the system and recover its costs through a PPA with Sweetwater Spectrum. 

The post SolarCraft Completes Third Installation for Sonoma’s Sweetwater Spectrum appeared first on Solar Industry.

Ameren Missouri received approval to build or acquire approximately 400 MW of solar energy, with the first of three solar projects scheduled to go into service next year and the remaining two in 2026. 

“Thoughtfully integrating these new, low-cost energy sources with our existing generation fleet is one of the ways Ameren Missouri is providing our customers with the reliable, resilient and affordable energy they expect,” says Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri.

Projects by the Missouri Public Service Commission to be developed by the company include the 50 MW Vandalia Renewable Energy Center, the 300 MW Split Rail Solar and 50 MW Bowling Green Renewable Energy Center.

Photo source

The post Ameren Missouri Approved for 400 MW Solar Portfolio appeared first on Solar Industry.

Deep Wind Offshore will introduce Spoor to the Swedish and South Korean market after it completed its first full-year bird survey in Norway using the tech company’s software.

Spoor’s software enables the wind industry to measure and report on bird impact, operationalise analysis and implement mitigation measures, says the company, using a proprietary model estimates a bird’s 3D flight path. It detected and tracked birds by the Norway floating wind area, Utsira Nord, on behalf of Deep Wind Offshore. 

“After gaining valuable information from Spoor’s bird monitoring in Norway, we will now use the technology in Sweden and South Korea,” says Knut Vassbotn, CEO of Deep Wind Offshore.

The post Deep Wind Offshore Introduces Spoor to New Markets appeared first on North American Windpower.

If we are to decarbonize the aviation industry at the speed required, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) must grow from 0.1 percent of global jet fuel to 10 percent by 2030, implying building 300 SAF plants globally within the next seven years. To meet US climate targets, the Biden administration has set a goal of 3 billion gal/year of SAF capacity by 2030 and 35 billion gal/year by 2050. The United States needs to add SAF capacity at an unprecedented rate. While US policy has fortunately tilted in SAF’s favor with federal and state-level incentives, building the first wave of SAF plants in the United States will nonetheless require project financiers to be flexible and creative.

SAF project developers may have little choice over some financing decisions: they’ll need to invest in community engagement, share returns with tax equity partners, and sign up a wide range of offtakers (including potentially sub-investment grade airlines). And yet there are at least three choices within their control — three choices that’ll go a long way in determining how much money they can raise and how cheaply.

Three finance-determining choices US-based SAF developers face in 2024 are: 1) what feedstock (and therefore technology) to choose, 2) whether to apply for a Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (DOE LPO) loan guarantee, and 3) how to cobble together insurance, construction guarantees, and equipment warranties in a way that’ll get past banks’ stringent credit committees. As part of our industrial decarbonization work with Mission Possible Partnership, RMI and SidePorch Consulting recently convened a SAF project finance roundtable with experts from banking, private equity, impact investing, venture capital, insurance, law, and public finance to consolidate perspectives from across the financial sector.

Here’s what SAF investors are saying.

The Feedstock Dilemma: Feedstock and technology choice will impact both debt and equity.

The strength of feedstock contracts and technological readiness (including lack of operating data) are different but deeply related risks for investors, which is why they must be addressed together. HEFA is a proven technology but has feedstock limitations. Investors are weary of short feedstock contracts (i.e., “recontracting risk”) and/or sub-investment grade suppliers who may not supply the project as planned. For e-fuels, on the other hand, renewable electricity is theoretically unlimited and is increasingly becoming more economical. Another feedstock — biogenic CO2 — is limited and expensive but can support the development of e-fuels till DAC technology matures.

Infrastructure funds may favor e-fuels since it has more potential to win in the long term. A private equity-backed energy transition fund investing $100+ million will want to know there will be a market for the project/technology in 5-7 years when it needs to exit. On the other hand, lenders may initially favor HEFA because the technology has been widely used in commercial operations. The feedstock choice impacts LCFS revenues since LCFS depends on carbon intensity, whereas the 45Z federal incentive is more technology agnostic. Either way, feedstock contracts need to be as airtight — maybe even more solid — than offtake so that both debt and equity investors can participate. Investors will want contracts that protect their returns in case a project cannot source feedstock across its entire operating life.

!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r

Potential solutions: Equity investors and developers worried about losing out to long-term technology trends could diversify across both HEFA and e-fuels. State-level policymakers who want to attract SAF projects should incentivize feedstock production — both abundant green power as well as biogenic CO2 for e-fuels and lipids for HEFA.

The DOE LPO loan guarantee dilemma — is it worth the time? 

Before private capital can finance billion-dollar scale SAF projects on its own, support mechanisms like a DOE LPO loan guarantee may be crucial for overcoming unproven technology and weak feedstock/offtake. The LPO review process, though, can take 6 to 12+ months and approval is uncertain. An LPO applicant’s competitors may gobble up limited feedstock by then. Therefore, it’s likely three financing archetypes will emerge: 1) government loan with government guarantee, 2) commercial loan with government guarantee, and 3) commercial loan with no government guarantee. While option 2 entails two rounds of due diligence (once by LPO and once by commercial banks) and is therefore potentially lengthier, experts suggest that commercial banks stand to gain long-term technology expertise by engaging and negotiating with LPO. Each financing archetype has different implications for cost of capital versus loan approval time.

!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r

Potential solutions: Given how uncertain the offtake may be, sponsors could try to get some form of loan guarantee, even if it’s from the USDA or a foreign ECA. To speed up DOE LPO approval times, borrowers should familiarize themselves with resources for borrowers before they apply. Federal agencies can continue improving loan guarantee processing times, while states like California (i.e., states with numerous projects in development) could provide temporary guarantees even for smaller amounts.

The Insurance Dilemma

Guaranteeing construction and performance will be crucial and banks may need to be flexible in how sponsors marry up partial-wraps from EPCs, less-than-ideal warranties from OEMs, and insurance. EPCs may not be able to provide full-wrap construction contracts, OEMs’ warranties may not be long/strong enough for lenders, and simply getting insurance to cover all project risks may be too expensive. Project developers will need to find the economical sweet-spot between those three (or more) sets of de-risking instruments. They’ll need enough risk coverage to placate bankers but at a price that doesn’t kill equity returns.

Potential solutions: Engage early and often with insurers, investment advisors, experienced lawyers, and Aviation CAF banks to determine what combination of guarantees is bankable.

Conclusion

The year 2024 could be a game-changer for aviation decarbonization if the first wave of SAF projects complete the LPO process and secure commercial financing. Many of these projects will be located in clean industrial hubs. Clean industrial hubs bring together policymakers, financial institutions, project developers, and community-based organizations to enable groundbreaking decarbonization projects in the hardest-to-abate sectors, like aviation. RMI and Mission Possible Partnership are working together to support stakeholders with the analyses and tools needed to advance zero-emissions trucking, low-carbon cement plants, sustainable aviation fuel, and decarbonized ports, by increasing the size, scale, and speed of critical climate investments that benefit the environment, the economy, and communities. This work is done in partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund, including convenings like the round table that led to these findings.

Sophisticated investors are evaluating projects and sponsors and pricing risk-return accordingly. According to SAF project finance roundtable participants, a private equity-backed energy transition fund may want ~15 percent levered equity internal rate of return for operating projects (and over 20 percent if there’s development risk), while venture capitalists may want north of 40 percent for pre-offtake projects with novel technology configurations.

LanzaJet’s pioneering 10 million gal/year Freedom Pines facility opened in Georgia in January, financed by a mix of strategic investors and climate-focused investors. Larger SAF plants may need private equity and debt investors too. Equity investors shouldn’t bet on just one technology, while lenders should explore loan guarantees, building relationships with clients while learning how to underwrite newer technologies.

And yet finance for clean jet fuel in 2024 will not flow as freely as it does for clean electricity: there’s no juicy 20-year investment grade offtake, there’s more demand for feedstock than supply, and investors are uncertain on which technology will win. So, for the first wave of deals, while the market works itself out, sponsors should seek government support to reduce both real and perceived risks for investors. It may be the only way to get this plane off the ground.

The post Overcoming Three Finance Dilemmas for US SAF Producers in 2024 appeared first on RMI.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will initiate an environmental review of Vineyard Northeast’s proposed 2,600 MW wind project, located 29 miles offshore Nantucket, Mass., at its closest point.  

On March 25, the bureau will publish a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for the COP submitted by Vineyard Northeast on March 25. 

“The Biden-Harris administration is steadfast in our dedication to collaborating with Tribal nations, government agencies, environmental groups, local communities and ocean stakeholders,” says Elizabeth Klein, BOEM Director. “Through collective effort, we can establish a robust, sustainable offshore wind sector that guarantees communities nationwide reap the rewards of domestically sourced clean, reliable renewable energy.”

The approximately 132,370 acre lease area would have up to 160 wind turbine generators, three electrical service platforms and one booster station in an adjacent lease area.

The publication of the NOI in the Federal Register will open a 45-day public comment period, ending on May 9. 

The post BOEM to Hold Review of Proposed Vineyard Northeast Offshore Project appeared first on North American Windpower.

Swire Renewable Energy (SRE) and Tien Li Offshore Wind Technology have signed an MoU for offshore wind turbine O&M services in Taiwan and other parts of the Asia Pacific region.

The agreement was formalized in Taipei. The companies intend to develop a large pool of local technicians with a broad skill set in blade repair, electrical and mechanical maintenance, offshore marine logistics services and wind turbine operations and maintenance.

“Swire Renewable Energy is looking forward to collaborating with a strong partner in Tien Li, particularly given our recent acquisition of blade repair specialist Altitec, and Tien Li’s blade manufacturing experience,” says Ryan Smith, CEO of Swire Renewable Energy. 

“The companies share a common mission to advance the efficiency and sustainability of offshore wind operations in Taiwan and we look forward to expanding our service coverage with this new partnership.” 

The post SRE, Tien Li Offshore Wind Sign MoU for Turbine Services appeared first on North American Windpower.

Headline News:

• “Leaders Of Over 30 Countries Meet In A Brussels Summit To Promote Nuclear Energy” • In the shadow of a giant monument glorifying nuclear power, over 30 nations from around the world pledged to use the controversial energy source to help achieve a climate-neutral globe while providing countries with an added sense of strategic security. [ABC News]

Atomium monument, Brussels (Fisnik Murtezi, Unsplash)

• “WMO: The Earth Continues To Warm As Nations Ignore Climate Science” • Scientists and officeholders are gathering in Copenhagen to discuss how to meet nationally set contributions they agreed to at the 2015 Paris climate accords. The nations have been unable to reduce emissions as they strengthen their embrace of fossil fuels. [CleanTechnica]
• “Further Rise In Food Prices Possible If Global Temperatures Continue To Rise” • Rising global temperatures could strain the agriculture industry, and worldwide inflation will likely cause food prices to increase more, a study says. Changes in average monthly temperatures have the strongest and most consistent correlation to productivity and inflation. [ABC News]
• “FERC Affirms Decision To Hold Utilities Accountable For Interconnection Delays” • FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, affirmed its determination on key provisions in Order No 2023, its landmark interconnection ruling. FERC can penalize utilities and transmission owners that fail to respond to interconnection requests in good time. [CleanTechnica]
• “Toxic Chemical Releases Have Declined 21% In Ten Years In USA” • The US EPA released its 2022 Toxics Release Inventory National Analysis. It shows that environmental releases of the inventory’s chemicals from facilities covered by the program were 21% lower in 2022 compared to 2013. This includes a 26% decrease in air releases. [CleanTechnica]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Brookfield-owned Luminace will acquire two PV plants from ECA Solar with a combined capacity of 10 MW, located in Delmarva Power & Light’s service territory in Delaware. 

The facilities are expected to completely provide energy to the 2,500 homes participating in the utilities’ community solar program. Total investment in these projects is expected to top $25 million.

“Our recently announced relationship and associated portfolio with ECA Solar enables access to clean, renewable solar energy to residents and businesses across Delaware and continues to expand a wider footprint of community solar assets throughout Delaware,” says Brendon Quinlivan, Luminace CEO. 

“As we continue to expand our valued network of strategic channel partnerships across key markets in the U.S., we are excited to work with the ECA team on supporting each other’s mutual growth objectives this year.”

The ECA projects to be acquired by Luminace are located in Delaware’s Kent and Sussex counties.

The post ECA to Sell Delaware Community Solar Projects to Luminace appeared first on Solar Industry.

Vermont House Passes Modernized Renewable Energy Standard

Montpelier, VT – Today, the Vermont House of Representatives passed H.289, to modernize Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard. The bill would put Vermont on track to achieve 100% renewable electricity across all the state’s utilities by 2035, which would make Vermont only the second state to meet that critical benchmark and would significantly increase the requirements for Vermont utilities to support the deployment of new renewable energy. The bill will now head to the Senate for consideration.

If enacted, H.289 would be the first major update to the Renewable Energy Standard since its enactment in 2015. In terms of cutting carbon pollution, this bill will be the equivalent of taking approximately 160,000-250,000 cars off the road, for good. This bill represents the largest single move towards renewable electricity and away from fossil fueled power that Vermont has ever taken, by a wide margin.

“Vermonters have made clear over and over again that addressing the climate crisis must be a priority, and that the status quo is simply unacceptable,” said Ben Edgerly Walsh, Climate and Energy Program Director for VPIRG. “The incredibly strong vote for this bill is yet another sign that Vermont legislators have heard that message loud and clear. We deeply appreciate all the hard work Vermont representatives have done to make this bill a reality.”

Peter Sterling, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Vermont, stated “Today’s vote was a big victory and reflects the hard work and commitment of Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski in the fight against climate change. Without her leadership, we wouldn’t have been able to bring together the environmental groups, low-income advocates, utilities and others who supported this bill.”

H.289 would:

• Double the amount of new renewables Vermont utilities are required to build in the state – in particular small and medium-sized renewables – from 10% to 20% of the electricity they deliver. This is expected to be met mostly with new solar.

• Create a new requirement for Vermont utilities to provide their customers with additional, new renewable energy of any size from anywhere in the region. This requirement is over and above the in-state requirement described above – an additional 20% by 2035 for Green Mountain Power, and an additional 10% by 2035 for Vermont’s other utilities.

• Require all Vermont utilities to provide 100% renewable electricity to their customers – by 2030 for Green Mountain Power and Vermont Electric Coop, and by 2035 for other utilities that are not already at 100% renewable.

“VNRC deeply appreciates the leadership of House members who voted today to ensure that Vermont curates the cleanest grid possible, as more Vermonters lean into electricity for heating, transportation and power needs,” said Johanna Miller, Energy & Climate Program Director at Vermont Natural Resources Council. “On the heels of yet another record-breaking warm year, this foundation is essential to ensure Vermont does its part to cut planet-warming pollution while also saving Vermonters significantly over time with far more efficient energy resources.”

The bill also phases out offsite or “virtual” net metering – a program that had potential to be a scalable opportunity for all Vermonters to participate in community solar but unfortunately never fully lived up to that potential – while requiring an analysis and recommendations on a “successor program” to offsite group net metering that surpasses current or future options available to Vermonters who are currently unable to install solar on their properties.

Other important changes in the bill are:

• Essentially making all electricity from new biomass plants ineligible to meet the Renewable Energy Standard’s requirements.

• Preventing power from any newly flooded lands by Hydro Quebec from being considered a new renewable.

• Changing from a “one size fits all” requirement for utilities to renewable requirements tailored to the individual needs of Vermont’s smaller rural co-ops and municipal utilities in order to help control costs for ratepayers.

Vanessa Rule, Co-Director and Lead Organizer of 350VT, shared, “Community conversations across the state and the ensuing grassroots support for this bill show that many Vermonters want truly clean and just electricity. In addition to new in-state renewables, they support a more effective community solar program, good siting, and ratepayer protection. They are heartened to see elected leaders prioritizing this.”

“Reforming Vermont’s RES is the lynchpin to the state’s ability to reduce carbon pollution. As more people transition to electric vehicles and heat pumps, we will need to build more clean, renewable electricity sources,” said CLF Vice President Elena Mihaly. “RES reform is a critical step in planning for a clean future. We applaud the House members who voted favorably today to bring us towards that clean energy future.”

Lauren Hierl, Executive Director of Vermont Conservation Voters, added, “With Vermonters still reeling from recent flooding and other climate disasters, we’re so grateful the Vermont House is advancing one of the most ambitious renewable energy standards in the country. This bill is an important step in Vermont’s efforts to cut climate pollution and leave a better Vermont for future generations.”

“This bill results from a positive and unifying collaboration between Vermont’s utilities and environmental advocates. The Sierra Club appreciates the Legislature’s work to establish the working group last year that helped produce this agreed-upon reform. We look forward to advancing this important policy with the Senate and truly move forward to 100% clean renewable power,” states Robb Kidd, Vermont Sierra Club Conservation Program Manager.

Our organizations look forward to working alongside lawmakers in the Senate to help advance comprehensive modernization of our Renewable Energy Standard so that we can put our state on a path to delivering more new, local and accessible renewable energy to all Vermonters.

Companies, landowners and investors are still waiting for clear and critical information about the impact of Alberta's proposed land-use rules for renewables. In the absence of official impact maps, Pembina Institute is helping inform the public by providing a map showing potential impacts. We urge the Government of Alberta to finalize and officially release its map and rules for viewscapes and visual impact assessment zones.

Companies, landowners and investors are still waiting for clear and critical information about the impact of Alberta's proposed land-use rules for renewables. In the absence of official impact maps, Pembina Institute is helping inform the public by providing a map showing potential impacts. We urge the Government of Alberta to finalize and officially release its map and rules for viewscapes and visual impact assessment zones.

Our analysts show how voluntary commitments already made by oilsands companies—like the Pathways Alliance plan to reduce emissions by 22 Mt per year by 2030— in addition to federal and provincial targets to reduce oil and gas methane by 75%, along with electrification, carbon, capture, storage and utilization (CCUS) and several other measures can move Canada toward the emissions cap target in the required timeline.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A multi-state coalition of biofuel and farm advocates called on President Biden’s Treasury Department to swiftly resolve any questions standing in the way of efforts to scale up U.S. production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Specifically, they urged the administration to quickly adopt the U.S. Department of Energy’s GREET model for the calculation of SAF tax credits (40B) under the Inflation Reduction Act – completing a process that was originally scheduled to conclude by March 1.

“We are disappointed that the administration did not fulfill its commitment to release a modified GREET model by March 1, but we appreciate the importance of getting the modeling right,” wrote 26 organizations across 13 states, including Clean Fuels Alliance America, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, National Oilseed Processors Association, and the Renewable Fuels Association. “At the same time, we caution against contradictory changes to GREET that would stack unwarranted penalties on agricultural feedstocks, cut rural America out of a promising green energy market, and undermine any realistic path to achieving U.S. SAF goals.”

SAF advocates emphasized the availability of well-established methodologies for certifying climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices, in contrast to speculative and unverifiable penalties for indirect land use change (ILUC) favored by opponents of U.S. agriculture. 

“Failing to value regenerative and CSA advancements, as well as the full suite of biorefining innovations cited in guidance to date, would leave substantial carbon emissions reductions on the table and represent a missed opportunity to energize these promising sectors,” they wrote. “A consistent approach to ILUC and CSA is a vital part of giving farmers and SAF producers a credible, durable, and predictable framework for making the commitments necessary to effectuate IRA and the SAF Grand Challenge.”

The full text of the letter and a list of signers can be found here.

The post U.S. Farm & Biofuel Leaders Seek Certainty on Sustainable Aviation Fuel appeared first on Fuels America.

Headline News:

• “Global Ocean Heat Has Hit A New Record Every Single Day For The Last Year” • The world’s oceans have now experienced an entire year of unprecedented heat, with a new temperature record broken every day, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer. [CNN]

Panama City, Florida (Craig Cameron, Unsplash)

• “WWF: Nuclear Path To Net-Zero Is A ‘False Narrative’” • As world leaders gather in Brussels for a Nuclear Energy Summit, to identify a role for nuclear energy in the energy transition, WWF argues that the idea that nuclear energy can play a key role in reaching the net-zero emissions long-term goal of the Paris Agreement, is a false narrative. [Panda.org]
• “Shell Backing Away From Retail, Focusing On EV Charging, To Sell 1,000 Fuel Retail Locations” • A recent article at Yahoo Finance says Shell is going to start backing away from retail fuel stations to better focus on EV charging. As part of this effort, 1,000 fuel retail locations will be sold, and more EV charging stations will be installed at rest. [CleanTechnica]
• “Vermont House Gives Its Preliminary Approval To A Major Renewable Energy Bill” • Vermont House lawmakers gave their preliminary approval for a major bill that sets strict requirements for utilities to buy power from renewable resources over the next five to ten years. There is still some disagreement over what the final price tag will be. [WCAX]
• “US Crude Oil Exports Reached a Record in 2023” • US crude oil exports established a record in 2023, averaging 4.1 million barrels per day (b/d), 13% (482,000 b/d) more than the previous annual record set in 2022. Except for 2021, US crude oil exports have increased every year since 2015, when the US ban on most crude oil exports was lifted. [CleanTechnica]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Inclusivity is key to Canada successfully meeting climate goals for the commercial vehicle sector where small-scale fleet owners from disparate communities have equal access to emission-free truck options.

Diesel-powered MHDVs are a disproportionately large contributor to traffic-related air pollution. We must consider the costs of conventional road freight over its lifespan as well as the costs of air pollution-related diseases and health issues. And this cost is not insignificant. Canada’s proposed federal zero-emission vehicles regulation could result in over $90 billion in health savings over the next 25 years, including up to 11,000 avoided premature deaths.

Canada's unique electricity system means there is no overarching federal body that oversees utility regulation. Provinces and territories manage their own systems. Report outlines ways that electricity system regulators can overcome barriers to grid decarbonization.