DULUTH, MN / SUPERIOR, WI -- The Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) gas plant proposed for construction in Superior, Wisconsin, will receive public scrutiny in the coming weeks. The $700 million project, put forth by Minnesota Power and Dairyland Power, would commit to decades of burning fossil fuel in the Northland.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Sierra Club launched a digital advertising campaign calling on five senators and President Trump to address the climate crisis impacting communities across the country. The videos pressure President Trump and U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Martha McSally (R-AZ), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to support a 100% clean energy economy.
Harrisburgh, PA -- Today Governor Wolf signed an executive order beginning the process that would add Pennsylvania to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). States participating in RGGI place limits on climate change-causing carbon pollution emissions from power plants, that decline over time.
Long Island, NY — The New York State Energy Research and Development (NYSERDA) is hosting a series of informational open houses throughout the month to provide the latest updates on the state's plan for offshore wind development. Tuesday’s Brookhaven meeting included details on the two proposed projects from Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind.
Today, PacifiCorp announced that it will be pushing back its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) filing date from August 1 to October 18. The plan was originally supposed to be filed April 1. The utility has been studying the economics of its coal fleet since August 2018, presenting new information at monthly public information meetings.
Here’s a brief recap of the process:
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Earlier today, Xcel Energy released its integrated resource plan, or IRP, following a preview in late May. As expected, Xcel included commitments to retire its remaining coal plants a decade earlier than previously stated, and the addition of at least 4,000 MW of solar capacity to Xcel’s system, as well as historic commitments to energy efficiency.
RICHMOND, Virginia – Today, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) accepted Dominion Energy’s refiled Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), after rejecting it in its entirety in late 2018. The SCC is also requiring several changes in future plans, including an update due in September, that will more accurately assess the costs and benefits of energy options, such as: Battery storage, using the most updated cost estimates available Compliance with climate pollution limits through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Gas transportation costs Solar power purchase agreements as 25% and 50% of the solar generation capacity Estimating capacity value for future solar PV tracking resources by using past performance or 25%, higher than the 23% used previously
Boston, M.A. - Yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued an order on long-term contracts for clean energy that paves the way for Governor Baker’s plan to source foreign hydroelectric power as a part of the state’s ongoing efforts to reduce carbon pollution by 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, two subcommittees of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing on the Trump Administration’s planned rollback of the fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions, known as the Clean Car Standards. The hearing was peppered with hard-hitting questions about the wide-spread and devastating role the proposed rollback will have on public health, the environment, consumers, and the auto industry itself.
Baltimore, MD -- The Maryland Commission on Climate Change (MCCC) hosted a meeting today where Governor Hogan’s Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) presented an overview of its draft Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act Plan (GGRA). Advocates are concerned that the Governor’s current plan will not provide enough ambitious climate action leadership, especially since details remain sparse. The release of the draft plan is already six months overdue.
Augusta, ME -- Last night, the Maine Legislature passed LD 1494 which increases the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 80 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050.
Albany, NY — Early this morning, the New York State Senate passed the strongest climate legislation in the nation as part of a three-way agreement with the Assembly and Governor Andrew Cuomo. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s road to passage was the culmination of a multi-year effort, deeply rooted in climate justice, and widely supported and led by frontline community groups, environmental justice organizations, labor, environmental organizations including the Sierra Club and everyday New Yorkers who made their voices heard.