RENEWABLES:
• A deal struck by Congressional leaders would extend tax breaks for solar and wind energy for five years, but language ending the U.S. ban on crude oil exports means passage is not assured. (The Hill)
• The full text of the bill can be found here, language dealing with wind and solar begins on page 2002.
ALSO: San Diego adopts a legally binding policy to move to 100 percent renewables by 2035. (New York Times)
***SPONSORED LINK: Rocky Mountain Institute’s e-Lab Accelerator is calling on America’s most innovative teams at the forefront of the electricity transformation looking to take projects to the next level. See if your project is eligible for this invitation-only event April 24—27. ***
SOLAR: California regulators approve a new fee structure for rooftop solar customers, but do not grant all that utilities sought. (Los Angeles Times)
POLLUTION: A federal appeals court says EPA rules limiting pollution from mercury and other toxic materials can remain in place while the agency revises the plan to consider compliance costs. Experts expect more legal challenges to come. (Reuters, Greenwire)
EFFICIENCY: The next generation of LED lighting is equipped with much more advanced tracking technology. (EnergyWire)
CLIMATE:
• A month after agreeing to provide updated information about financial risk associated with climate change, Peabody Energy announces plans to raise $1 billion from investors without mentioning climate or emissions-cutting policies. (ClimateWire)
• Tempers are rising along with the sea level in Key West, Florida over how to mitigate the changing climate. (Saint Peters Blog)
STORAGE: New metrics can help solve ongoing questions over the value of energy storage. (Utility Dive)
COLORADO: Despite struggling coal, oil and gas industries, Colorado’s energy sector remains strong because of its diverse mix of resources. (Denver Business Journal)
OIL AND GAS: In California, small methane leaks from pipelines that have not been repaired are having significant environmental impacts. (KQED)
PIPELINES: A new report released by Michigan advocates says Enbridge’s Line 5 beneath the Straits of Mackinac is not necessary and could be replaced without interruption by existing Midwest infrastructure. (Detroit Free Press)
WIND: A Republican lawmaker from Nebraska believes wind and solar development can provide an economic lifeline to his rural home district. (Midwest Energy News)
TECHNOLOGY: A Michigan-based company makes efforts to bring electricity to areas with high energy costs and little-to-no grid access using microgrid technology. (Midwest Energy News)
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FRACKING: New research shows home values near fracking operations drop if the property depends on well water, but values rise if the water is piped in. (Phys.org)
GASOLINE: A new federal report is expected to show that increased demand for larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles is holding back emission-reduction goals. (Reuters)